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SSD Benefits and Disability Insurance, what’s the Difference

Abingdon, Bristol and Johnson City

When an illness or injury leaves you unable to continue working, this can be a devastating event for you and your family. Thankfully, the Social Security Administration offers Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, which are paid out to individuals with illnesses or injuries that prevent them from working in efforts to replace that lost income. SSD benefits are different from disability insurance, and we will explore the differences between the two in today’s blog.

The big difference between SSD benefits and disability insurance is the manner in which you pay for each type of benefit

The money used for your SSD benefits is deducted from your regular paycheck. All workers in the United States pay into the Social Security Administration through these deductions. When people find themselves unable to work due to illness or injury, their benefits kick in, and they are eligible to start receiving some of that money in regular installments.

Paying for disability insurance, by contrast, is voluntary. This is because any disability coverage is purchased privately, usually as some sort of supplemental insurance plan. It only kicks in when the recipient becomes unable to work. Disability insurance can be long-term, for individuals who never will be able to return to the workplace, or short-term, for individuals who are sick or ill but should regain the ability to work once they recover.

The “lifespan” of SSD benefits and disability insurance also varies

SSD benefits can last until retirement age, but people who receive those benefits must undergo frequent reviews to determine their continued eligibility. They may continue receiving SSD benefits until retirement age, as long as they remain unable to work. The requirements that must be met before disability insurance kicks in are different, depending on the specific type of policy that was purchased.

Legal expertise on insurance in the Tri-Cities of Tennessee and Southwest Virginia

The requirements for receiving SSD benefits are quite complicated. Likewise, working with insurance companies—especially when they are resistant to pay benefits or claims—can be difficult for regular consumers. It helps to have an experienced legal team on your side that knows how the Social Security Administration works, and also is familiar with working with insurance companies and understanding those tactics.

Help Filing Disability Claim in Johnson City

If you are unable to work, it can be an extremely stressful time because you are not receiving the paychecks that you and your family have been counting on to pay for bills and necessities. For decades, Michael R. Munsey has been helping individuals who were injured or chronically ill to receive the compensation they deserve, so that they can maintain their way of life. If you have any questions or problems with receiving your SSD benefits or having a disability insurance claim met, call the Law Offices of Michael R. Munsey, P.C., today at (276) 451-2056 to schedule a free consultation at our office in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Representing the injured and disabled for more than 30 years, the Law Offices of Michael R. Munsey, P.C., are proud to serve clients in Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City, Tennessee, as well as Bristol, Virginia.